Home tour has something for every taste

KAREN WIGHT

You know I love a home tour. Especially a tour that allows me to

closely and personally ogle homes that I have worshipped only from

afar.

That is exactly the kind of opportunity that this year’s 31st

annual Corona del Mar home tour offers Oct. 19 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

There are seven homes on the tour this year, along with a morning

reception at the new Rouge Restaurant at Fashion Island, lunch from

Pascal’s in Sherman Gardens and an afternoon reception at the

ever-popular Butera Home Furnishings store on Westcliff Drive.

If you’ve ever managed your imaginary real estate shopping via the

harbor, I’m sure you have longed to tour the four-lot treasure in

China Cove. This home on the rocks incorporates the natural setting

with contemporary styling and has a 270-degree view of the ocean,

jetty, China Cove and the bay. You’ve got to see it to believe it.

Don’t miss the chance to be a voyeur in a real-life fantasy that

includes a party-sized sauna, an entertainment room with a panoramic

view and a unique telephone room for confidential conversations.

On another vista, a home in Shady Canyon will open its doors to

support the educational programs at Corona del Mar. This Santa

Barbara-style home rings the top of the hill and is set in a peaceful

xeriscape of native California plants and shrubs. This home has a

room for every occasion -- game room, home office and wine cellar --

and beautiful views from the veranda. Imported cypress stone and

earthenware dating back to pre-Biblical eras are used throughout the

home. The reclaimed parquet walnut flooring adds to the warmth and

unique aura that sets this home apart.

Newport Coast’s Rivage hosts a home with an island flavor. Fun

rules this house. The boys’ bedroom has a spectacular

floor-to-ceiling mural, a la Swiss Family Robinson. Even when the

lights go out, black-light stars fill the sky. The backyard continues

the island adventure theme with a barbecue area and circular bar

embellished with hand-split bamboo details.

Ocean and beach views are abundant in a French Mediterranean home

on Ocean Boulevard. This maison sur la mer includes 16th and 17th

century stone mantels, hand-painted Italian floor tiles and French

cabinetry and doors.

You can find your Zen zone in an Asian-flavored home on Bayside

Drive. The glass wall in the living room retracts, making the bay

view even closer. The terrace that overlooks the water has an outdoor

kitchen, fireplace and a water feature that seems to cascade into the

bay.

From the chaparral to the harbor, this tour has something for

everyone. Tickets for the day’s activities are $50 and can be

purchased at Butera or through Corona del Mar High School’s PTA.

The PTA would like to thank the following local businesses for

their support: Fashion Island, South Coast Plaza, Prudential

California Realty, Bank of America, Fletcher Jones Motorcars, Coast

Magazine, Barclay Butera, Rouge Restaurant, Pascal Restaurant and

above all others, the generous homeowners who have provided the

opportunity for a community event to enhance public education.

* KAREN WIGHT is a Newport Beach resident. Her column runs

Thursdays.